Rhododendron fortunei 'BEST FORM'

Rhododendrons are reliable, beautifully flowering, evergreen shrubs of variable origin: S.W. China, Himalayas, Northern America, and even Europe. The original species were hybridized several times for better performance so in the 1950´s there were more than 10,000 cultivars registered, and the number keeps increasing.

Fortune’s rhododendrons come from China and this one was selected in Germany. Its name is Best Form and you can rest assured it is the best of the best. It produces large, very soft pink flowers from pink buds early in the season (April/May), and as they open continuously the blooming time is extended to incredible 4-5 weeks. What is more attractive than the flowers is their scent – they are very fragrant, sweet and fruity, intoxicating scent is quite intense especially during warm and dry weather. Even when flowering finishes this rhododendron remain attractive with its unique foliage. The evergreen leaves are pale olive green, large, ovate, quite flat, and the stalks are purple red in spring and early summer, turning purple blue in late summer and autumn. Best Form makes a wide shrub.

For a better looking plant dead-head where possible. The roots are shallow, spreading to sides in search for nutrients. Never plant them too deep. The soil has to be acidic (pH 4.5-5.5), rich in humus, cool and always moist. Ideal soil mixture is peat with lime-free, light garden soil topped with leave-mould. Hardy to min. -24°C (USDA zone 6), possibly a little more.

Last update 13-09-2014